Noticeable Affects to Corner Balance?

[mm86911]

Need opinions here:

Removed AC system - see post: Go Fast Diet

Total weight 52 lbs with obviously most of that weight from the tail (compressor/condensor). Car was previously balanced within 8-9 lbs each corner. Will this difference be noticeable to corner balance / handling (aside from the car being lighter overall)?

[dean]

I don't think so

[Mike Feinstein]

Mike,

If you think about it....removing the AC (even at 52 lbs) still has less effect on your car's balance than adding a 150lb passenger. Or...simply driving on an incline, angled or otherwise, would also have more effect. It seems to me that almost anything you do could effect corner balance (unless you can drive on perfectly level roads all the time).

I'm no pro but...it seems to me that corner weight comparisons are drawn from pretty "rough" criteria.

But heck....you've heard my rantings before!

Just my 2 cents.

BTW....your car looks great....dingless and lighter!

[mm86911]

Mike - makes sense but balanced my car with only me in drivers seat and 3/4 tank of fuel. You're probably right that it wouldn't be noticeable at only 50 lbs.

Oh yeah, subtract another 15 lbs for the rear seat backs - came out tonight. Considering rear RUF bumper in the not so distant future.

Dent Wizard did some serious magic on the car - well worth the expense.

[john70t]

With Porsches, should there be a driver or weight in the seat when corner balancing/aligning ?

I was told the 150 lb. was only necessary for BMW.

[jluetjen]

When you corner weight a car, ideally you want to do it in a configuration which is as close to the configuration in which it will be driven as possible. With a race car that, is fairly simple, 1/2 a tank of fuel, the rest of the fluids full and the driver's weight in the driver's seat. The tire pressures should also be set to the "hot" pressures. The variation really comes down to the weight in the fuel.

The range of variation with a passenger car is much wider: passenger or no? Big or little driver? Luggage? etc plus the aforementioned fuel load. The range of temperatures and pressures which the tires will see will also be larger.

It has little to do with the make or model of vehicle -- the process is the same.

BTW - you can ball-park the affect of removing the air conditioner as follows:

1) weigh the unit (you've done this)
2) Measure the track of the rear wheels. Determine how far to one side or the other of the cars center line the AC unit was mounted. Figure this as a percentage of the total track.
3) Since it was mounted behind the rear wheels, you can pretty much discount any affect on the front wheels.
4) Starting with your initial corner weights, subtact the weight of the AC proportionally from each wheel based on the formula: (1- the percentage from step 2).

This will give you a pretty good indication of the affect of removing the AC.